Eco-City Homes:Condo Owner Application

Eco-City Homes:

Condo Owner Application

Thank you for your interest in the Eco-City Homes program! Whether you’re composting food scraps or using energy-efficient appliances, every action counts when it comes to sustainability.

How to Apply:

To participate, you simply need to fill out this short online checklist. Make sure you're filling out the correct form: there is one for homeowners, one for condo owners, and one for renters. This is the condo owner's application.

There are three levels of recognition: standard, silver, and gold. Each question in the application includes guidance on what is needed to achieve the different levels of recognition.

After you submit your application, you will receive an email to let you know which level of program recognition you have achieved and information on how to receive your rewards.

For more information:

You can contact the Eco-City Homes program manager, Samantha Heitsch, at Samantha.Heitsch@AlexandriaVA.gov or by texting 703-472-9504.

Visit the main Eco-City Homes website for guidance and resources, including information about the actions in this application.

Applicant Information

Your Name*

Email Address*

We will send your results to this email.

Home Address*

The address of the residence for which you are filling out this application.

Optional: Condo Association

While not required, it is helpful for us to know which condo association you are a member of.

Application Questions

For all questions, please answer based on what you have already done or are currently doing. Credit cannot be given for actions that are planned for the future.

Question 1

Required

Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) account for about half of a typical home’s energy usage—so having an efficient HVAC system can make a big difference in saving energy. *

Select at least one option.

I have had an HVAC tune-up in the past year to ensure equipment is operating optimally.

I have a programmable or smart thermostat OR have a mini-split heat pump.

Note: If your home uses a mini-split heat pump, a programmable thermostat may not be recommended.

Please indicate whether you have a programmable/smart thermostat, a mini-split heat pump, or both.

Programmable or smart thermostat

Mini-split heat pump

Both

The HVAC for my condominium building is managed and maintained by the association.

None of the above.

Question 2

Required

Reduce energy consumption from "always on" appliances.*

Use advanced power strips for major electronics (e.g., computers, consoles, TV, kitchen appliances) OR have used a Kill-a-Watt or similar device to better understand and control energy-wasting “always-on” appliances in your home.

The Alexandria Library has Kill-a-Watt devices you can check out and provides information on how to use one.

Requirement for all tiers: Select one or both from "Have advanced power strip(s) for major electronics" and "Used a Kill-a-Watt or similar device"

Have advanced power strip(s) for major electronics

Used a Kill-a-Watt or similar device

None of the above

Question 3

Required

Reduce waste by (all three required):*

Recycling eligible household materials,
Composting (e.g., at home, dropping off at farmers markets, or using pickup services), and
Recycling glass at a Purple Bin.

Select "Yes" below to confirm you are taking all three actions to reduce waste.

Yes

Question 4

Required

Understanding your energy usage is key. Let us know whether you have conducted a do-it-yourself or professional home energy audit, or if the condo association has conducted a larger-scale energy audit (e.g., for a whole building). If not, then reach out to your condo association to request that they conduct a professional whole-building energy audit.*

A home energy audit looks at key factors that affect home energy usage to identify areas for improvement and savings. Those factors include air leaks, insulation, ventilation, heating and cooling equipment, lighting, and appliances.

While a professional audit is more thorough and can provide more specific recommendations, you can also start with a do-it-yourself audit. The Alexandria Library even has thermal cameras you can check out to help with a DIY approach.

See the Eco-City Homes website for more details on both DIY and professional audits, including income- and age-qualifying programs for free professional audits.

Standard requirement: DIY audit (first option)
Silver and Gold requirement: Professional audit for your individual unit or from the condo association (second or third option)

I have done a do-it-yourself home energy audit and have a plan to reduce energy use based on the results.

I have done a professional home energy audit and have a plan to reduce energy use based on the results.

My condo association has conducted a professional whole-building energy audit and I am using that information to identify opportunities for reducing my energy use.

I have contacted my condo association to request they conduct a professional building-scale energy audit.

None of the above.

Question 5

Required

Insulating your home and sealing air leaks is important for making sure you’re not wasting energy when heating or cooling.

Install weather stripping around doors and windows as needed and as allowed by your association. *

Select "Yes" to confirm you have taken this action.

Yes, I have taken this action

No, I have not taken this action

N/A, not applicable, needed, or allowed by the condo association

Question 6

Required

LED lighting is a simple way to save energy and money.*

Select which option applies to your home.

Standard requirement: 75% LED lights
Silver and Gold requirement: All LED lights

75% of all lights in my condo are LED.

All lights in my condo are LED.

I have contacted my condo association to use LED lighting in common areas, including indoor, outdoor, and parking/garage spaces.

None of the above.

Question 7

Required

Major appliances account for much of a home’s energy use, so making sure they are energy efficient goes a long way towards reducing costs as well as impact on the environment. The ENERGY STAR label means that a product meets strict energy efficiency criteria set by the US government. *

For in-unit appliances that are your responsibility, indicate whether they are ENERGY STAR (ES) certified models in the list below.

If there are any appliances that are the responsibility of the condo association (either in your unit or shared, such as laundry), then contact your condo association to confirm those appliances are ENERGY STAR certified—and if not, then advocate for certified replacements.

Standard requirement: One in-unit ES appliance and advocacy for ES shared appliances as applicable
Silver requirement: Two in-unit ES appliances and advocacy for ES shared appliances as applicable
Gold requirement: All in-unit appliances from the list below must be ES certified. For shared appliances, you must select the option to either confirm or advocate for ES certified models. If your clothes dryer is in unit, then it must be an electric ES certified model (that is, a gas-powered appliance is not eligible to receive Gold tier recognition).

Clothes washer

My clothes washer is ENERGY STAR certified.

My clothes washer is not ENERGY STAR certified.

I do not have an in-unit clothes washer, and I have contacted my condo association to either confirm or advocate for the use of ENERGY STAR certified clothes washers.

Clothes dryer

I have a gas-powered ENERGY STAR certified clothes dryer.

I have an electric ENERGY STAR certified clothes dryer.

My clothes dryer is not ENERGY STAR certified.

I do not have an in-unit clothes dryer, and I have contacted my condo association to either confirm or advocate for the use of ENERGY STAR certified clothes dryers.

Dishwasher

My dishwasher is ENERGY STAR certified.

My dishwasher is not ENERGY STAR certified.

I do not have an in-unit dishwasher.

Refrigerator

My refrigerator is ENERGY STAR certified.

My refrigerator is not ENERGY STAR certified.

Standalone freezer

I have an ENERGY STAR certified standalone freezer.

Not applicable.

Air cleaner/purifier

I have an ENERGY STAR certified air cleaner/purifier.

Not applicable.

Window AC unit (room air conditioner)

I have an ENERGY STAR certified window AC unit.

Not applicable.

Other appliances (under the responsibility of the condo association)

I have contacted my condo association to either confirm or advocate for the use of other ENERGY STAR certified appliances.

None of the above

I do not have ENERGY STAR certified appliances in my condominium unit.

Question 8

Required

Saving water is good for your wallet as well as the environment. Adding an aerator to your faucet or using WaterSense certified faucets, showerheads, or toilets can dramatically increase your water efficiency. *

Select which water-efficient fixtures you have in your home.

Note: Products with EPA’s WaterSense label are certified to use at least 20 percent less water, save energy, and perform as well as or better than regular models. You can use the WaterSense Product Search (epa.gov) to see if your model is certified.

Standard requirement: Select one
Silver requirement: Select two
Gold requirement: Select all three

Faucet aerator(s) or WaterSense certified bathroom faucet(s)

WaterSense certified showerhead(s)

WaterSense certified toilet(s)

None of the above

Question 9

Optional

Home electrification involves replacing combustion appliances with electric versions. This benefits your health by improving indoor air quality–and reduces greenhouse gas emissions.

Select which electrification measures you’ve completed, as available for individual units in your condo association.

Standard requirement: N/A (this question only applies to the Silver and Gold levels)
Silver requirement: Select any two
Gold requirement: Have an all-electric home (no gas appliances in the home)

Heat pump for heating and cooling

Yes

N/A: Not an option for individual units

Heat pump water heater

Yes

N/A: Not an option for individual units

Electric or induction stovetop

I have a full-sized electric or induction stovetop

I have a portable induction cooktop

No (I have a gas stovetop)

N/A: Not an option for individual units

Oven

Yes

No (I have a gas oven)

N/A: Not an option for individual units

Question 10

Optional

Renewable energy produces little to no greenhouse gas emissions and reduces air pollution, and can save you money on your energy bill.

If you are individually metered and billed for your electricity, you must participate in one of Dominion Energy’s Renewable Energy Programs (REC Select, 100% Renewable Energy, Green Power, or Community Solar) in order to earn the Gold tier of recognition. (This question does not apply to either the Standard or Silver levels of recognition.)

Yes

N/A – electricity is not individually metered

Optional: Let us know which Dominion Renewable Energy Program you are participating in:

Select

Question 11

Required

If your condo association is responsible for outdoor landscaping and maintenance, then confirm whether they are already practicing eco-friendly landscaping--and if not, then reach out and advocate for them to do so!

Eco-friendly landscaping practices include:

using electric or manual outdoor equipment (e.g., lawn mower, rake) rather than gas-powered;
planting drought-tolerant or native plants and removing invasive plants;
implementing stormwater management, landscaping, or dry floodproofing practices from the residential condominium association credit menu in the City’s Stormwater Utility Fee Credit Manual.

Confirm your condo association practices eco-friendly landscaping, or that you have reached out to advocate for them to do so.*

Yes

N/A - my condo association does not have landscaping

Send me a copy of my responses

Privacy Notice|Report Abuse